Bench: "I Had A Good Time"

Penn State quarterback transfer Steven Bench arrived in Raleigh on Friday for his official visit to NC State. He discusses his trip with Pack Pride.

Penn State quarterback transfer Steven Bench arrived in Raleigh on Friday for his official visit to NC State.

"It was good," said Bench. "I got to hang out with some of the coaches. Only a few of the payers were there with classes being out, but I got to see the campus and the facilities. I had a good time.

"I spent a lot of time with Shadrach Thornton and Milton [Hall]. They were cool guys. I got a long with them both really well."

Bench admitted that he spent the majority of his time with the Wolfpack coaching staff.

"They made a really good impression with me," he said. "I really like coach Canada, and he is the coach that would be handling the offense and coaching me.

"Coach Doeren was great too. He's the kind of guy that gets really excited talking about football."

What was NC State's recruiting pitch to Bench?
"They were saying it's an opportunity," he said. "They haven't chosen a starting quarterback, and they are going into camp with an open competition. It's an opportunity, and it would be up to me to take advantage of it."

Bench inked with Penn State in 2012 out of Bainbridge, Georgia after picking up an offer late in the process. Bench, who was committed to Rice when Penn State offered, worked his way into the mix as a true freshman, where he played in two games, completing 2-of-8 passes for 12 yards.

He elected to transfer after not winning the starting job in the spring, and narrowed his focus to NC State, South Florida, and Mississippi State. He's already visited NC State and South Florida, and Bench will travel to Miss. State on Tuesday for his final official visit.

"I'm really excited about it," he said. "I went out there the summer before my senior year, and they were starting to build the new football facilities. I haven't seen those so that should be pretty exciting, and I'll be able to spend some time with coach Mullen and coach Koenning."

Expect a quick decision from Bench.

"I think I could have a decision by Thursday or Friday," he said. "I'm going to talk with some of my coaches, my parents, my family, and friends about it, but at the same time, it's my decision.

"I'll get back from Mississippi State and sleep on it Thursday and if I'm ready to make a decision I will. If not, I'll take another day."

"I believe it will be a decision I can make," he added. "It's all about where you feel the most comfortable and what you think is the right place for you. I think you'll just kind of know where the best fit is. That's how I feel."